ASEAN foreign ministers reaffirm regional unity ahead of bloc summit

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ASEAN foreign ministers reaffirm regional unity ahead of bloc summit

Source: Xinhua | 2026-05-08 | Editor:Evan

ASEAN foreign ministers convened in Cebu, the Philippines, on Thursday for a high-level meeting, discussing pressing regional priorities and the bloc's long-term community-building, according to an official press release.

Ministers from ASEAN members reviewed recent progress in ASEAN community-building, including preparations for the commemorative activity marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), scheduled for July 2026, as well as the ongoing integration of Timor-Leste following its formal admission into the bloc, according to the press release.

The meeting reaffirmed ASEAN's role as a united, resilient and forward-looking community at a time of mounting global uncertainty, including the escalating crisis in the Middle East and its ripple effects across Southeast Asia.